Kids Bedroom Ideas: A Mix of Old & New with Kate Dreyer

Kate Dreyer is an interior decorating enthusiast, a blogger and the personality behind Kate Decorates (@kate_decorates). She loves colorful, happy, accessible style, all created on a "normal person" budget. Her favorite vintage finds include a ceramic plate featuring a map of Washington, D.C. (her hometown!) and a globe that's labeled in French. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two kids and a labradoodle puppy.

This week, Kate is helping us tackle one of the most popular design questions:

How do you design a kids room on a budget? And without sacrificing style and personal touches? 

When decorating kids' spaces, I always lean toward budget-friendly pieces, while incorporating a few higher end staples into the room. By investing in great quality staples when it comes to the big stuff -- like bed frames, dressers, and the like -- you know you'll have solid pieces that'll last over the years and can withstand typical kid wear and tear.

For the other items in the room -- think artwork, rugs, and decorative accessories -- I gravitate toward budget-friendly decor for a few reasons. First, kids' tastes change constantly, so I never want to pour too much money into their rooms since they'll inevitably grow out of the princess or superhero-loving phase at some point. Additionally, there are lots of great buying options for kids' decor pieces that are affordable, so I never feel the need to pay up for an accessory when I could likely find it for a better price elsewhere.

Are vintage and antique items a good idea in high-traffic spaces (and in rooms with tiny human tornadoes)?

One thing I love doing when designing kids' spaces is mixing old and new. Not only does purchasing vintage decor pieces for kids' rooms usually save some money, but these pieces also give a room a certain character that a newer purchase from HomeGoods or Crate & Kids simply can't. 

Let’s talk favorites. What are the most-loved vintage pieces in your kids’ rooms?

I have a handful of vintage finds in my own kids' bedrooms and playrooms. My favorite piece is a globe that's labeled in French -- which is perfect for my daughter, as she takes French classes. I also like using vintage soda crates to corral books and craft supplies. I have one crate in my son's room that holds his favorite books, and another in our playroom that's full of coloring and activity books, drawing pads, plus boxes of markers and crayons.

What about your best client finds? Any super memorable scores?

I've enjoyed sourcing vintage finds for my design clients too -- I think my best find for a client to date was a set of vintage superhero lunch boxes that I found at a vintage shop here in Northern Virginia. We used them as bookshelf decor in her son's bedroom.

Kate's AuctionNinja Picks:

1. Collection of 10 Ladies Cotton Map-Themed Handkerchiefs - US & Canada (Brisa Auctions)

2. Classic Pair of Ginger Jars (Black Rock Galleries)

3. Pottery Barn Seagrass Arm Chair & Ottoman (Trading Post Estate Sales)

4. Sheesham Table with Floral Inlay & Accents (Trading Post Estate Sales)

5. Small Cute Wooden Table with Woven Top (Estate Inventory Online)

6. Set of 6 Fine Japanese Cups and Saucers (Black Rock Galleries)

7. Trench Art Brass Pitcher Made of Artillery Shell (Black Rock Galleries)

Other Picks Not to Miss:

• Carved Gilt Wood and Gesso Wall Mirror (Black Rock Galleries)

• Oil on Board, Helen St. Clair (American, Boothbay Harbor, Maine), Sailboats in Harbor (Black Rock Galleries)

• Lustrous Trio of Mercury Glass Vessels (Black Rock Galleries)

• Wood Secretary Desk with Decorative Display Frontal 52 W x 24 D x 29 H (Estate Inventory Online)

Written by:

AuctionNinja Staff

June 29, 2021     Updated 03:06 PM

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